Tuesday, June 3, 2014

REFLECTION

Driving across country really gives a girl some time to think, you know?
And somewhere in Kentucky it hit me that we were celebrating the anniversary of Gabriel being diagnosed with Autism Broad Spectrum. Post here.
Since that visit to the neurologist and the one that followed in October, we have seen so many wonderful and positive changes in our little Gibby. He is still considered ABS, but has progressed so much that they are unsure of that diagnosis. He is still delayed, but only slightly and therapies have shown to help get him where he needs to be.
He is walking, he is talking. It truly seems like he is right where he needs to be. We do still have our therapy sessions: PT, OT and Speech and I credit those wonderful ladies for his development.
So many tears were shed that last year over the unknown, but now I can truly say that there are no longer any tears.
Gabriel is an absolute blessing. He is so many things: strong, stubborn, loving, silly. Oh is he silly!

Becoming a mother is selfless act, giving yourself completely to your children and their development. Last year I felt like I had failed. I felt like what I had to give wasn't enough and it darn near broke my heart. As Gabriel got the extra help he needed, he began to progress and show so much improvement. I will always remember certain events from my children's lives.

I remember when Caderyn first took steps for me. I remember when Caderyn first told me he loved me and where we were.

With Gabriel, that took longer and that was the hard part. We knew he wanted to do it, we knew he was frustrated, but we just didn't know what was going on. When he is older, I plan on telling Gabriel how far he has come. How I remember when he army crawled for the first time and how I cried I was so happy. Then there was the first time I remember seeing his push up to all fours, and after a few weeks he started to crawl. I cried then too. And then of course, on New Year's Eve Gabriel started walking.
So much celebration. More tears (what can I say, I'm a big baby when it comes to my kids)
And now we are seeing him talk and communicate with us and just go full force into this next stage of life.

As a parent, it makes me feel so hopeful for our world.
I am so proud of our family for coming together on this and pushing hard for what we thought our son needed. I am proud of Caderyn for being the best big brother, he is a pill to Gibby sometimes, but he is also a protector and an encourager.

And, most of all, I am proud of my Gabriel, my Gibby, my Gibby-monster. He is the one who worked the hardest to obtain his goals.

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